buttermilk

noun

but·​ter·​milk ˈbə-tər-ˌmilk 

1

: the liquid left after butter has been churned from milk or cream

2

: cultured milk made by the addition of suitable bacteria to sweet milk

Examples of buttermilk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Remove bowl from freezer; add buttermilk, and stir together until a shaggy dough forms. —Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 2025

In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs; slowly add the buttermilk and bacon fat. —Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Nov. 2025

Kernels of fresh corn add a touch of sweetness to the bread, while yogurt instead of buttermilk, keeps the bread moist and tender. —Patricia S York, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2025

Cracker Barrel Veterans and active-duty military dining in on November 11 at any of the nearly 660 Cracker Barrel locations get a free Sunrise Pancake Special – a pair of buttermilk pancakes, served with fresh eggs or breakfast meat. —Mike Snider, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for buttermilk

• ilk
• silk
• whilk
• wilk

Kids Definition

buttermilk

noun

but·​ter·​milk ˈbət-ər-ˌmilk 

1

: the liquid left after the butterfat has been churned from milk or cream

2

: milk from which all or part of the cream has been removed and which has been soured by adding certain bacteria

Medical Definition

buttermilk

noun

but·​ter·​milk ˈbət-ər-ˌmilk 

1

: the liquid left after butter has been churned from milk or cream

2

: cultured milk made by the addition of suitable bacteria to sweet milk